A Nigerian man studying in Chicago, Joseph Asagai is a student who Beneatha met on her college campus. Asagai is a “rather dramatic-looking” young man who takes great pride in his African heritage and dreams of Nigerian independence from colonial rule.
Who is Joseph Asagai and why is he an important character?
Asagai’s main function as a character seems to be to inject the play with symbolism. Basically, Asagi is Africa. He represents one extreme of the American debate on assimilation. His presence in the play forces the audience (and Beneatha) to ask what it truly means to be an African American.
Who is Asagai in A Raisin in the Sun to Beneatha?
Asagai is a classmate of Beneatha’s from Nigeria, which gives his character an alternative perspective on America’s race problem and a distinctly Afrocentrist point of view, given that he comes directly from Africa and is described by Beneatha as an “intellectual” (1489).
How is Joseph Asagai described?
Asagai is charming, mannerly, personable, and quite intelligent; in spite of the cultural differences between him and the Younger family, he appears to “fit in” more with them than does George Murchison, who argues with Beneatha in front of her family and then clashes with Walter as he leaves.
Where is Joseph Asagai from in a raisin in the sun?
Nigeria
One of Beneatha’s fellow students and one of her suitors, Asagai is from Nigeria, and throughout the play he provides an international perspective.
What does Asagai symbolize?
Asagai, a symbol of Black identity in the play, argues that true freedom for Black people is not attained through assimilation, but from returning to Africa. Asagai here addresses Beneatha’s fatalistic attitude towards her dream of being doctor.
Why does Beneatha thank Asagai for the nickname?
The name is “Alaijo,” which means, “one for whom … food is not enough.” (8) Why does Beneatha thank Asagai for the nickname? She thanks him because the name tells her that he has listened to her desire to search for herself.
Does Joseph Asagai want to marry Beneatha?
Asagai is thoughtful and well-spoken and he fosters Beneatha’s interest in her African roots. At the play’s end, Asagai asks Beneatha to marry him and “come home” to Africa.
Are Beneatha and Asagai dating?
She dates two very different men: Joseph Asagai and George Murchison.
Is Asagai Beneatha’s boyfriend?
Joseph Asagai, Beneatha’s Nigerian boyfriend, calls her “Alaiyo,” which means something like “One for Whom Bread – Food – is Not Enough.” Beneatha is very touched by this, because it shows tha…
What did Asagai give to Beneatha?
Asagai visits Beneatha, and they spend some time together by themselves. He brings her some Nigerian clothing and music as gifts. As Beneatha tries on one of the robes, Asagai asks about her straightened hair.
What is the difference between George and Asagai?
George Murchinson is a wealthy African American man who is dating Beneatha at the beginning of the play. Asagai is a Nigerian man who is in love with Beneatha, and they bond over their interests about Africa. The men’s first contrast is in their views towards education.
What does Asagai force Beneatha to realize?
Asagai makes Beneatha realize that she is self-centered.
What are Asagai’s goals?
Asagai’s main motivation for bringing gifts is his love for Beneatha. It is very clear that his main goal is to be in Beneatha’s favor as the first time he appears in the story, he brings her records and an African robe.
What do Beneatha and Mr Asagai argue about?
Asagai tries to convince Beneatha of the value of idealism, but she rejects his arguments. She mocks Asagai’s dream for African independence, asking him about what comes after freedom: “What about all the crooks . . .
How does Asagai react when Beneatha tells him what just happened?
He says he is sorry, but he does not seem very upset. How does Asagai react when Beneatha tells him for what has just happened? When she was young, Beneatha saw a child horribly injured in the sledding accident. What made Beneatha want to become a doctor?
How did Beneatha meet Asagai?
Beneatha explains to Mama that Asagai is a Nigerian student whom she met on campus and she asks Mama to refrain from asking “ignorant questions” about Africa when he comes to the apartment.
What does Beneatha’s new hair symbolize?
Beneatha’s Hair
Her new, radical afro represents her embracing of her heritage. Beneatha’s cutting of her hair is a very powerful social statement, as she symbolically declares that natural is beautiful, prefiguring the 1960s cultural credo that black is beautiful.
Why is Beneatha mad at Asagai?
Very simply, she states, “He gave away the money.” Her previous positive idealism has been replaced by a loss of faith in humanity. The money that should have financed her medical education is gone. She wants and expects sympathy from Asagai, but instead, he upbraids her for her materialistic outlook.
What does Beneatha’s hair symbolize?
Beneatha’s Hair Symbol Analysis. Beneatha’s natural hair symbolizes her pride in her African heritage and her desire to explore her African roots.
Who does Beneatha end up with?
Unsurprisingly, Beneatha seems to not be into George at all by the end of the play. When we leave Beneatha at the play’s conclusion, she is even considering marrying Asagai and practicing medicine in Africa.